ESPN’s panel of league reporters has released its final 2025 power rankings of the calendar year, weighing in on every club’s position as the regular season reaches its midpoint. The list is based on votes from Anthony Slater, Dave McMenamin, Jamal Collier, Kevin Pelton, Michael C. Wright, Bobby Marks, Tim Bontemps, Tim MacMahon, Vincent Goodwill and Zach Kram.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (28-5)
Even after dropping more games in December than in the season’s first two months combined, Oklahoma City remains on top. Jalen Williams, 13 contests into his return from a right-wrist injury, is averaging 17.3 points while still providing five rebounds, five assists and nearly two steals a night. His three-point attempts and makes are both down, but the team expects production to climb as he regains rhythm. Upcoming: vs. Portland (Dec. 31), at Golden State (Jan. 2), at Phoenix (Jan. 4), vs. Charlotte (Jan. 5).
2. San Antonio Spurs (23-9)
Victor Wembanyama described the current stretch—following three victories over the defending champions and an NBA Cup run—as a “transition” period. San Antonio just suffered consecutive defeats for the first time since mid-November. De’Aaron Fox told ESPN the group must bring the same intensity against mid-tier teams that it shows in marquee matchups. Upcoming: vs. New York (Dec. 31), at Indiana (Jan. 2), vs. Portland (Jan. 3), at Memphis (Jan. 6).
3. New York Knicks (23-9)
Fresh off their NBA Cup triumph, the Knicks have closed to within a single game of Detroit atop the East by grinding out road wins in New Orleans and Atlanta—even with Josh Hart sidelined by an ankle sprain. Head coach Mike Brown continues to lean on his bench: rookies Tyler Kolek and Mohamed Diawara contributed 18 points in 18 minutes at New Orleans, while Kevin McCullar Jr. produced 13 points and eight boards in Atlanta. Upcoming: at San Antonio (Dec. 31), vs. Atlanta (Jan. 2), vs. Philadelphia (Jan. 3), at Detroit (Jan. 5).
4. Detroit Pistons (25-8)
Detroit cooled off out West, falling to Utah and then to the Clippers behind Kawhi Leonard’s 55-point explosion. The Pistons are shooting just 32.8% from beyond the arc this month—the league’s lowest mark—while staffers continue to preach patience with Jaden Ivey, who is hitting 40% of his triples in 17 games. They have also played only 14 home dates, second-fewest in the NBA. Upcoming: vs. Miami (Jan. 1), at Cleveland (Jan. 4), vs. New York (Jan. 5).
5. Houston Rockets (20-10)
After a 2-5 slide, Houston strung together three wins to reach 20 victories through 30 games for the second straight season—the club’s first such back-to-back start since 2019-20. Five of the next six contests are on the road, starting New Year’s Day in Brooklyn. Kevin Durant has topped 30 points in four of his past seven outings, and Amen Thompson just logged his sixth 20-5-5 game. Upcoming: at Brooklyn (Jan. 1), at Dallas (Jan. 3), vs. Phoenix (Jan. 5).
6. Denver Nuggets (22-10)
Nikola Jokić is out at least four weeks with a left-knee hyperextension, joining an injury list that already includes Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Christian Braun (ankle). Coach David Adelman hopes Gordon and Braun can return during a five-game trip that still has four stops remaining. Lineups featuring Jamal Murray, Gordon and Braun own a plus-14.3 net rating in 171 minutes, nearly all of them with Jokić on the floor. Upcoming: at Toronto (Dec. 31), at Cleveland (Jan. 2), at Brooklyn (Jan. 4), at Philadelphia (Jan. 5).
7. Boston Celtics (20-12)
Jaylen Brown has scored 30 or more in nine consecutive December games and 10 of his last 11 overall, positioning himself for an All-Star starting nod while keeping Boston in the East’s top tier. Upcoming: at Sacramento (Jan. 1), at L.A. Clippers (Jan. 3), vs. Chicago (Jan. 5).
8. Minnesota Timberwolves (21-12)
Now only a half-game behind fourth place in the West, Minnesota could benefit most from Jokić’s absence. Consistency has been elusive, but the schedule presents an opportunity to climb. Upcoming: at Atlanta (Dec. 31), at Miami (Jan. 3), at Washington (Jan. 4), vs. Miami (Jan. 6).
9. Los Angeles Lakers (20-11)
With Austin Reaves sidelined for at least a month due to a left-calf strain, two-way guard Nick Smith Jr. stepped in against Sacramento and produced 21 points in 24 minutes, helping end L.A.’s three-game skid. Upcoming: vs. Memphis (Jan. 2), vs. Memphis (Jan. 4), at New Orleans (Jan. 6).
10. Phoenix Suns (19-13)
Phoenix seeks a fifth straight win when it visits Cleveland on Dec. 31. During the current surge, opponents are averaging 105.8 points on 44.2% shooting (32.2% from distance) while committing 15.4 turnovers. Those defensive numbers rival Oklahoma City’s league-leading marks. Upcoming: at Cleveland (Dec. 31), vs. Sacramento (Jan. 2), vs. Oklahoma City (Jan. 4), at Houston (Jan. 5).
11. Toronto Raptors (20-14)
Back-to-back nail-biters halted a slump: an overtime victory against Golden State followed by a one-point win over Orlando. Scottie Barnes starred with a 23-25-10 triple-double versus the Warriors and hit winning free throws against the Magic, reinforcing his All-Star résumé. Upcoming: vs. Denver (Dec. 31), vs. Atlanta (Jan. 3), vs. Atlanta (Jan. 5).
12. Orlando Magic (18-15)
Orlando’s roller-coaster month continued with a loss to Charlotte, an upset of Denver, and a one-point setback in Toronto. The Magic are 3-4 since Jalen Suggs injured his hip; rookie Anthony Black has averaged 18.6 points in December, including a career-best 38 against the Nuggets. Upcoming: at Indiana (Dec. 31), at Chicago (Jan. 2), vs. Indiana (Jan. 4), at Washington (Jan. 6).
13. Miami Heat (18-15)
One week removed from an eight-losses-in-nine stretch, Miami has rattled off three wins, topping 140 points in two of them. The Heat are 8-0 when scoring at least 140 this season. Tyler Herro (toe) remains limited to six games. Upcoming: at Detroit (Jan. 1), vs. Minnesota (Jan. 3), vs. New Orleans (Jan. 4), at Minnesota (Jan. 6).
14. Golden State Warriors (17-16)
Golden State used 13 players for at least five minutes in a win over Brooklyn—none of them Jonathan Kuminga, who has not appeared in five straight games. League sources expect the Warriors to gauge trade interest in Kuminga once his Jan. 15 eligibility date arrives. The club is 6-4 in its last 10 with a top-10 offense and a sixth-ranked defense. Upcoming: at Charlotte (Dec. 31), vs. Oklahoma City (Jan. 2), vs. Utah (Jan. 3), at L.A. Clippers (Jan. 5).
15. Philadelphia 76ers (17-14)
A victory in Memphis snapped a three-game skid. Joel Embiid’s availability remains week-to-week, but Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford have returned to practice, providing needed size on the wings. Upcoming: at Dallas (Jan. 1), at New York (Jan. 3), vs. Denver (Jan. 5).
16. Cleveland Cavaliers (18-16)
Beating a surging San Antonio squad kept the Cavs above .500. Lonzo Ball received a scheduled rest day, though his recent play has dipped. Seven of the next nine games are against current playoff teams. Upcoming: vs. Phoenix (Dec. 31), vs. Denver (Jan. 2), vs. Detroit (Jan. 4), at Indiana (Jan. 6).
17. Memphis Grizzlies (15-18)
Ja Morant, back from an ankle sprain, has shot nearly 60% overall and from three while averaging 6.6 assists in his first three games. Jaren Jackson Jr. just logged his second 30-point outing of the season. Injuries remain an issue ahead of a two-game set in Los Angeles. Upcoming: at L.A. Lakers (Jan. 2), vs. L.A. Lakers (Jan. 4), vs. San Antonio (Jan. 6).
18. Chicago Bulls (15-17)
Momentum stalled when starting guards Josh Giddey and Coby White exited Monday’s contest with injuries; both are out for Dec. 31 against New Orleans. Chicago now faces six games in nine days. Upcoming: vs. New Orleans (Dec. 31), vs. Orlando (Jan. 2), vs. Charlotte (Jan. 3), at Boston (Jan. 5).
19. Portland Trail Blazers (14-19)
Undrafted rookie Caleb Love has scored in double figures in four straight, totaling 42 points over consecutive wins against Boston and Dallas. Center Donovan Clingan posted identical 8-for-10 shooting lines in those games, combining for 36 points and 29 boards. Upcoming: at Oklahoma City (Dec. 31), at New Orleans (Jan. 2), at San Antonio (Jan. 3), vs. Utah (Jan. 5).
20. Milwaukee Bucks (14-19)
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return, albeit on a minutes cap, propelled Milwaukee to its first two-game win streak since October. The Bucks begin the week in 11th place but see light ahead with Washington and Charlotte on the schedule. Upcoming: vs. Washington (Dec. 31), vs. Charlotte (Jan. 2), at Sacramento (Jan. 4).
21. Atlanta Hawks (15-19)
Losers of seven straight and 2-11 in December, Atlanta’s early-season defense has collapsed, surrendering at least 120 points every game since Dec. 5. Kristaps Porziņģis’ return could help; the Hawks are plus-9.9 per 100 possessions with him on the floor alongside Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher and Jalen Johnson. Upcoming: vs. Minnesota (Dec. 31), at New York (Jan. 2), at Toronto (Jan. 3), at Toronto (Jan. 5).
22. L.A. Clippers (11-21)
A four-game win streak—extended Tuesday against Sacramento—has lifted the Clippers off the West’s floor, driven by Kawhi Leonard’s 39-point average on 51.6% shooting (44.1% from deep) during the run. Upcoming: vs. Utah (Jan. 1), vs. Boston (Jan. 3), vs. Golden State (Jan. 5).
23. Utah Jazz (12-20)
Rookie Keyonte George delivered his third go-ahead or tying basket inside the final five seconds this season, matching the most such shots by any player through 30 games since 1998-99. He ranks eighth league-wide with 62 clutch points, and Utah is plus-33 in his 64 crunch-time minutes. Upcoming: at L.A. Clippers (Jan. 1), at Golden State (Jan. 3), at Portland (Jan. 5).
24. Dallas Mavericks (12-22)
While Dallas evaluates trade scenarios involving Anthony Davis, 22-year-old guard Max Christie continues to shine, knocking down 46.6% of his threes as a part-time starter. His 76.2% effective field goal rate on catch-and-shoot attempts leads all 61 players with at least 120 tries. Upcoming: vs. Philadelphia (Jan. 1), vs. Houston (Jan. 3), at Sacramento (Jan. 6).
25. Charlotte Hornets (11-21)
A Boxing Day victory in Orlando was tempered by ankle injuries to rookie Kon Knueppel and Miles Bridges. One bright spot: second-year forward Tidjane Salaun is averaging 9.0 points and 4.8 rebounds since a December G-League recall, showing improved efficiency at age 20. Upcoming: vs. Golden State (Dec. 31), at Milwaukee (Jan. 2), at Chicago (Jan. 3), at Oklahoma City (Jan. 5).
26. Brooklyn Nets (10-20)
Despite Monday’s defeat to Golden State, Brooklyn owns December’s best defensive rating at 103.5, edging even Oklahoma City, and trails only Boston in monthly net rating. Cam Thomas returned from a hamstring injury with a 30-point performance against Minnesota, and the Michael Porter Jr.–Nic Claxton–Noah Clowney trio continues to thrive. Upcoming: vs. Houston (Jan. 1), at Washington (Jan. 2), vs. Denver (Jan. 4).
27. Sacramento Kings (8-25)
Zach LaVine (ankle) participated in 3-on-3 drills Tuesday, nearing a comeback, while Domantas Sabonis is at least a month away with a partial meniscus tear. Sacramento remains last in the West and figures to be a focal point at the trade deadline. Upcoming: vs. Boston (Jan. 1), at Phoenix (Jan. 2), vs. Milwaukee (Jan. 4), vs. Dallas (Jan. 6).
28. New Orleans Pelicans (8-26)
A four-game skid followed a five-game winning streak. Zion Williamson scored a season-high 32 points in 29 minutes during Monday’s five-point loss to New York and is shooting 65% over his past six games while averaging 10 free-throw attempts. Upcoming: at Chicago (Dec. 31), vs. Portland (Jan. 2), at Miami (Jan. 4), vs. L.A. Lakers (Jan. 6).
29. Washington Wizards (7-24)
Washington has gone 4-4 since a 3-20 start, including a season sweep of Memphis. Rookie Tre Johnson, back from a hip issue, is averaging 14.4 points in 22 minutes and shooting 45% from deep over that span. Upcoming: at Milwaukee (Dec. 31), vs. Brooklyn (Jan. 2), vs. Minnesota (Jan. 4), vs. Orlando (Jan. 6).
30. Indiana Pacers (6-27)
A nine-game slide has dropped Indiana to the league’s worst record. ESPN’s Basketball Power Index now gives the Pacers the second-best odds of landing the No. 1 selection in the 2026 draft, trailing only Washington. Upcoming: vs. Orlando (Dec. 31), vs. San Antonio (Jan. 2), at Orlando (Jan. 4), vs. Cleveland (Jan. 6).
These rankings close the books on 2025, setting the stage for the stretch run of the 2025-26 campaign.
Source: ESPN
